Troy, N.Y. - Jong-Shi Pang has joined Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as the Margaret A. Darrin Distinguished Professor in Applied Mathematics.

In August 2003, Pang received the prestigious George B. Dantzig Prize, the world's top prize in the area of mathematical programming. The prize is awarded once every three years and is issued jointly by the Mathematical Programming Society and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.

The overarching focus of Pang's education and research has been in the field of optimization and equilibrium programming. This branch of applied and computational mathematics develops mathematical models and computational tools that can be used to determine the best allocation of limited resources in a variety of applications. This research applies to decisions in finance and business, and for the study of a host of non-smooth phenomena that arise from engineering and science, such as a bouncing ball hitting the floor and changing direction.

"These decision-making models are enormously useful for management as well as engineering applications," says Pang.

In addition to continuing his own research program, Pang looks forward to sharing his expertise in optimization and, more generally, in applied mathematics, with colleagues in the computer science and engineering departments at Rensselaer. "My goal is to work with as many scientists and engineers here as possible," says Pang, "while, of course, continuing to advise undergraduate and graduate students and supervise doctoral dissertations."

Pang comes to Rensselaer from the Johns Hopkins University, where he served as professor of mathematical sciences since 1987. Between 1999 and 2002, Pang also served as a program director in the Division of Mathematical Sciences at the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C., where he reviewed mathematical programs and made recommendations regarding funding opportunities for mathematical research projects.

Pang's appointment is part of Rensselaer's focused effort to make the institute a top-tier, world-class technological research university. Guided by The Rensselaer Plan – an overall strategic vision for the university – Rensselaer has recruited distinguished scholars to the faculty. Over a three-year period, 127 faculty are being hired, 70 in entirely new positions

About Jong-Shi Pang
Pang received his B.S. in mathematics in 1973 from National Taiwan University. He went on to Stanford University to earn an M.S. in statistics in 1975 and a Ph.D. in operations research in 1976.

Pang has held associate and assistant professorships at Carnegie Mellon University. He served as associate professor and professor in the School of Management at the University of Texas at Dallas, and was an adjunct professor at the University of Waterloo.

Pang is a frequent invited lecturer at national and international meetings; he travels extensively and collaborates with colleagues worldwide. Recent trips have brought him to Brazil, Denmark, England, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Singapore. In 1994, Pang was co-winner of the Frederick W. Lanchaster Prize awarded for the best contributions in operations research in the English language.

About the Margaret A. Darrin Distinguished Chair
The Margaret A. Darrin Distinguished Chair was established in 1981 with a gift from David M. Darrin '40 in honor of his wife, Peggy. According to Darrin's original wishes, the endowment intends to attract and fund scholars who represent a "steeple of excellence" at Rensselaer. Julian Cole was appointed to the position in 1982 and held the Margaret A. Darrin Professorship in Applied Mathematics until his death in 1999. The position has been vacant since that time.

Contact: Joely Johnson
Phone: (518) 276-6531
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